Carton



Feb. 21, 1939. H; z. GRAY CARTON Filed March 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l HARRYZ Gem.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

H. Z. GRAY Feb. 21, 1939.

CARTON Filed March 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fiA/iRYZ- GRA x 7 ATTORNEY-s,

llllll ll Patented Feb. 21, 1939 PATENT OFFICE I CARTON Harry Z. Gray, Lebanon, Ohio, assignor to Marion R. Mulford, Lebanon, Ohio Application March 26,

' 7 Claims.

My invention relates to cartons or other boxes or containers made from sheet stock, and in particular to packaging structures comprising a box having interspaced parallel walls. I shall describe my invention in connection with a particular use for such boxes, namely a use in the art of horticulture, which use and the completed structure appertaining thereto is the invention of Marion R. Mulford, as set forth in'a copending application, Ser. No. 14,280 filed April 2, 1935; but it will be understood that my invention is not restricted to this particular use, in connection with which I shall describe it for the purpose of making an exemplary disclosure, but is applicable in whole or in part to a wide variety of other uses, and is not restricted otherwise than specifically set forth in the appended claims.

One of my objects is the economical provision of a carton, box or container having interspaced parallel walls. Another object of my invention is to provide a structure of this sort, in which the nature or construction of the blank from which the structure is made does not act as a limitation upon the-proportional dimensions of the structure, the height of the walls, or the distance of interspacing therebetween. It is another object of my invention to provide a structure of this sort, which, when in upright position, is liquid'tight so that the structure may be filled with liquid if desired, or may be, used to contain moist materials- Still another object of my invention is the provision of means facilitating the setting up of such a carton from a blank, and the maintenance of the walls thereof in their proper assembled relationship. Still another object of my invention is the provision of an appropriate inner container for such a structure, and capable of a wide variety of uses. Still another object of my invention is the provision of an appropriate and secure closure for such a structure.

These and other objects of my invention which will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, I accomplish by that certain construction and arrangement of parts ofwhich I shall now describe an embodiment particularly directed to the aforesaid exemplary use.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank from which the outer carton, box or container may be made.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of an assembly device or structural part.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank of an inner carton suitable for the exemplary use.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the devices of 1935', Serial No. 13,121

Figs. 1 and 2vin partial assemblyla" portion of the structure being cut away to show the details of an interior assembly. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of in partially set-up condition.

Fig. 6 is a perspectiveview of closed and sealed.

Fig. '7 is a view of, an appropriate form of bot tom filler member. I

Fig. 8 is a view of a top closure member.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the completed structure when closed.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view thereof taken long the lines l0, ID of Fig- 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of my structure in the exemplary use, the closure having been removed and the inner carton opened. Likewise this view also shows the filling device in opened condition, as will hereinafter be explained.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the blank of a modified form of inner container.

Fig. 13 is a view of the carton of Fig. 12, closed and sealed.

In the drawings showing the blanks for the several carton structures, solid lines indicate lines of cut, dot and dash lines indicate score lines, and dotted or dashed lines indicate lines of perforations, or other lines of weakening along which the sheet material from which the cartons are made can be readily severed. In the blank for the outer carton I have shown,a1l in integral formation, a bottom member l, outer side walls 2 articulated to the sides thereof, and outer end walls 3 likewise articulated by score lines. The tab members 4, lying between the outer side and end wall members are not severed therefrom, but are joined thereto by continuations of the lines of scoring, and are themselves diagonally scored, as at 5, so that these tab members will fold inwardly bellows-wise, forming with the bottom and outer side and end walls whenin set up formation, an imperforate, tray-like formation, the walls of which are all of even height. If, therefore, the box-board, or other material of which the carton is made, is waterproof or water-resistant in character, as by being made of board bearing a water-proof binder substance, either exteriorly or interiorly, or both, a structure is produced which will hold water.

Exteriorly of the outer side walls 2, I provide inner side walls 6 articulated to the outer side walls by interspacing portions 1. At the outer ends of the inner side walls 6, I provide flaps 8.

the inner carton the'inner carton Likewise beyond the outer end walls-3, I provide inner end walls 9, articulated thereto by means spaced from the outer wall members.

of interspaclng members I0. Flaps II are 'provided on the outer ends of the inner end wall members 9. The inter-spacing members I may have square ends as shown at l2, and the width of these ends beyond the edges of the inner side wall members 8 may be greater than thewidth of the interspacing members I elsewhere, so as to promote rigidity of the box. The ends of the interspacing members I may be beveled as shown at I3, to provide a neat finish for the box. One of the interspacing members I or ID, or more, if desired, may be provided with a filling opening I, demarked by perforated or weakened lines, so that it may be struck up as a flap, or entirely removed. Likewise a pair of the inner wall members may be provided with lines of cut I! to provide locking means for the top closure, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

In setting up a structure of this sort, the outer side and end walls are disposed at right-angles to the bottom, with the tabs 4 folding bellowswire and disposed inwardly. Then preferably the two inner side wall members are folded inwardly so that the interspacing members form a part of the top of the structure, and so that the inner walls are disposed inwardly and inter- The distance of this interspacing is determined at the top by the width of the interspacing members I, and may likewise be determined at the bottom by the width of the flaps 8, which are tucked outwardly beneath the inner side walls. The inner'end walls are preferably next folded over in the same way. In this structure, as so far described, there is no member having continuity about the top edges of the box, and some provision must therefore be made for holding at least the top edges in assembled relationship. Such provision may take the form merely of a sheet of board or other material of the dimensions of the bottom member I, and cut out in its central portion so as to form a frame, the arms of which are substantially of the width of the-interspacing members I and ID. A structure, however, which is somewhat more secure and is easier to use in setting up the carton is the collar member shown as a blank in Figure 2, and comprising a strip of board which is preferably stiff, and which has a portion I6 forming a side member of the collar, adjacent end-forming members I! and I8 articulated thereto by lines of scoring, and outer members is and 20 which may be fastened together by locking tongues 2| so as to form a side member opposite to the side Hi.

In setting up the carton, therefore, it will be usual to take the structure of Fig. 2, bend it and fasten it in the shape of a collar, and place it on the bottom portion l of the blank of Fig. 1. Then the side members are elevated and tucked into position, as previously described. Fig. 4, in which like numerals indicate like parts, shows my outer carton after the side walls and one end wall have been placed in position, and the final end wall is about to be placed in position. The relationship of parts will be clear from this figure, and the carton itself will be found to be quite rigid and strong.

The particular exemplary use to which I have hereinabove referred is the use of a combined structure for the packaging and shipment of planted seeds. In the practice of this use, it is desirable to plant seeds in treated and prepared earth, which is, however, substantially dry, in a suitable container, which will prevent displacement of the earth and disarrangement of the planted seeds. This container is then placed in my outer container and securely fastened, as will hereinafter be described. When the package reaches the purchaser, he removes the closure of my outer container and opens the inner container, thereupon he lifts or removes the flap l4, which gives access to the interspace between the inner and outer parallel walls of my outer carton. He then pours water into this interspace, which water is retained by the outer carton, but seeps into the inner carton so as to moisten -the earth therein. If the package is therefore maintained under suitable conditions of atmospheric light and temperature, the seeds will germinate and small plants, suitable for transplanting, may be grown therein. In this particular use advantage is taken of the compactness of my structure, as well as of its appearance and functions to promote the growth of small plants suitable for transplanting in a very restricted space in a house. Thus plants may be started very much earlier and with much less inconvenience than would otherwise be possible, and these plants maybe transplanted as soon as external weather conditions permit, thus enabling the gardener to start his plants very much earlier than would otherwise be possible without expensive greenhouse equipment.

I have shown in Fig. 3 a carton which will serve as the inner container in the exemplary use, and also as a suitable inner container in other uses. This blank has a bottom member 22, to which side members 23 and end members 24 are articulated by lines of scoring. Top side flaps 25 and top end flaps 26 are articulated respectively to the side and end members by perforated or weakened lines, as shown so as to facilitate the removal of these flaps. The ends of the side members 23 may be provided with looking extensions 21, and this carton may be set up as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Like indicia are used for like parts. After pulling, the inner carton may be closed by folding over the top flaps 25 and 26 and sealing, if desired, by means of tapes 28 and 29, as shown in Fig. 6.

One form of complete assembly is shown in Fig. 10, where I have indicated the outer carton completely set up in accordance with the procedure of Fig. 4. A bottom filler member 30, as shown in Fig. '7, may be placed in the outer container. This filler member may be of any character desired. It has one function in holding the inner walls 2 and 3 'of the outer carton in fixed relationship. Its stiffness is likewise an asset where the inner carton must be tightly held against, for example, the displacement of the earth therein. If the structure is to be used for insulating purposes, as will hereinafter be referred to, the bottom filler member may be made to have as much insulating eifect as may be desired, or economically possible. I have shown in Fig. '7 a bottom filler member of corrugated board, which combines the qualities hereinabove mentioned in a useful degree. It will be understood that other filler members may likewise be employed.

The inner box which I have indicated generally at 3| in Fig. may next be placed upon the filler member, and the structure closed by means of a suitable closure. A suitable closure is shown in Fig. 8, comprising a blank of board having a top member 32, side flaps 33, which are turned down, and end flaps 34, which are turned up. The end flaps may haye tongues 35 severed from them by lines of cut, and'adapted to enter 1,

2,140,048 the locking members l5 of the inner end walls 8.

One form of completed package is shown in Fig. 9.

, In Fig. 11 I have shown the same package with the top member removed, as well as the top of the inner carton. The flap i4 is shown as raised, and water has been introduced into the structure through the hole left by the flap I4, and the seeds in the inner package have been allowed to germinate, forming small plants 36;

Another form of inner container has been shown in Figs. 12 and 13, where corresponding parts have been given the same index numerals. This carton differs from the carton shown in Figure 3, however, in that the top flaps and 26 are articulated to the side and end members 23 and 24 by score lines instead of lines of out, while the bottom member 22a. hasclose to its periphery a perforated or weakened line '31. Preferably there is a out line 38, as a part of this weakened line. When the carton of Fig. 12 has been set up, filled and sealed, 'as has hereinabove been described, it will preferably be placed in the outer carton up-side-down, as shown in Fig.

- 13. To open this inner cartomit is not necessary to disturb the sealing thereof. The user merely inserts his thumb nail in the out line 38,

I and parts, are examples only of classes ofymery chandise in which my outer structure finds utility. The outer structure may be used without an inner container, where the merchandise shipped is such as to permit this, as will be readily ap'- parent. Likewise the outer container may ,be madeof any desired material, or covered, or decorated in any desired way. Any suitable type of closure may be employed therewith, whether it be a closure which fits inside the inner walls of the box, or a closure which fits over the outer walls thereof. Padded closures and highly decorative closures are'likewise suitable, as well as closures .of transparent materials, or closures which have transparent windows in them. The flap It may, of course, be omitted, where its function is not necessary. .My package, by reason of the interspace in the walls thereof, is suitable for a wide variety of uses,.where the ordinary package is not found suitable. For example, the dead air space between the interspaced, parallel walls gives an insulating efiect which may be completed by the bottom filler 30. and a top filler where desired, so that my package has utility in the vending of frozen confections and the like. The interspaces between the parallel walls of ,my carton may be filled, if desired, with insulating material. The configuration of the flap l4 may likewise be altered so as to permit the use of the interspaces between the walls of the carton for use in the storage or shipment of additional materials to those which are contained in the central space/of the box. Thus yarns, or other filaments may be packaged in the interspace between the walls, and sewing or knitting implements packaged in the main compartment.

that the external dimensions of the box, includhaving an angular relationship The configuration of my blank is .such,

of, the height of the walls, the distance of interspacing between the walls, and the number of side walls do not form practical limitations, and my box may be made to any desired dimensions, and to substantially any configuration which is generally plane-sided, as will be evident.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the appended claims, the term side walls, where used alone, has been used in a generic sense to cover any external wall of the container with the bottom thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. In a carton, a bottom, outer side walls respectively articulated to said bottom, inner side walls respectively articulated to said outer side walls by interspacing members, imperfora te,

which is imperforate to the height of at least the lowest of said side walls, meansfor holding said carton in desired relationship, with the inner side wall members interspaced from the outer side wall members, in combination with an inner carton which is permeable to fluids, afillermemher in said outer carton for supporting said inner carton, and a closure member for' said outer carton adapted to hold said inner carton securely at all points within said outer carton.

2. In acarton, a bottom, outersidewalls respectivelyarticulated to said bottom, inner side walls respectively articulated to said outer side walls by interspacing members, imperforate, lateral connections between said side walls. said connections being scored to permit folding, bellows-wise so as to provide a carton having a combined bottom and outer side wall structure which is imperforate to the height of at least the lowest of said side walls, means for holding said carton in desired -relationship, with the inner side wall members interspaced from the outer side wall members, in combination with an inner carton which is permeable to fluids, a filler member in said outer carton for supporting said inner carton, a closure member for said outer carton adapted to hold said inner carton securely at all points within said outer carton, said closure member comprising'a member having a portion to overlie said inner carton, stiffening flaps on the sides of said first-mentioned portion, and means for providing a locking engagement between at least one of said stiffening flaps and an inner side wall of said outer carton.

3. In a carton, a bottom, outer side wallsrespectively articulated to said bottom, inner side walls respectively articulated to said outer side walls by interspacing' members, imperforate, lateral connections between said side walls, said connections being scored to permit folding, bellows-wise so as to provide a carton having a combined bottom and outer side wall structure which is imperforate to the height of at least the lowest of said side walls, means for holding said carton in desired relationship, with the inner side wallmembers interspaced from the outer side wall members, in combination with an inner carton which is permeable to fluids, a filler' member in said outercarton for supporting said inner carton, a closure member for said outer carton adapted'to hold said inner carton securely at all points within said outer carton, said closure member comprising a member having a portion to overlie said inner carton, stiflening flaps on the sides of said first-mentioned portion, and means for providing a locking engagement between at least one of said stiffening flapsand an inner side wall of said outer carton, said inner carton having removable means permitting access to the ner side wall members interspaced from the 'outer I side wall members, in combination with an inner carton which is permeable to fluids, a-filler member in said outer carton for supporting said inner carton, a closure member for said outer carton adapted to hold said inner carton securely at all points within said outer carton, said closure member comprising a; member having a portion to overlie said inner carton, stiffening flaps on the sides of said first-mentioned portion, means for providing a locking engagement between at least one of said stifiening flaps and an inner side wall of said outer carton, said inner carton having removable means permitting access to the contents thereof without the removal of said inner carton from said outer carton, said mean comprising iiaps on said inner carton articulatedto the side walls thereof by weakened lines permitting ready removal.

5. In a carton, a bottom, outer side walls respectively articulated to said bottom, inner side .walls respectively articulated to said outer side i walls by interspacing members, imperforate, lateral connections between said side walls, said connections being scored to permit folding, bellows-wise so as to provide a carton having a combined bottom and outer side wall structure which is imperforate to the height of at least 7 the lowest of said side walls, means for holding said carton in desired relationship, with the inner side wall members interspaced from the outer side wall members, in combination with an inner carton which is permeable to fluids, a filler member in said outer carton for supporting said inner carton, a closure member for said outer carton adapted to hold said inner carton securely at all points within said outer carton, said closure member comprising a member having a portion to overlie said inner carton, stiffening flaps on the sides of said first-mentioned portion, and means for providing a locking engagement between at least one of said stiffening flaps and an inner side wall of said outer carton, said inner carton having removable means permitting access to the contents thereof without the removal of said inner carton from said outer carton, said means comprising a weakened line in an exposed face of said inner, carton when in position in the outer carton, said line surrounding a substantial area of said exposed face to permit removal thereof and access to the contents of the said inner carton.

6. In a carton, a bottom, outer side walls respectively articulated to said bottom, inner side walls respectively articulated to said outer side walls by interspacing members, imperforate, lateral connections between said side walls, said connections being scored to permit folding, bellows-wise so as to provide a carton having a combined bottom and outer side wall structure 'which is imperforate to the height of at least the lowest of said side walls, means for holding said carton in desired relationship, with the inner side wall members interspaced from the outer side wall members, in which there is a weakened line in an interspaced member between an outer side wall and an inner side wall, said weakened line defining a raisable portion of said inter-connecting member giving access to the interspace between said walls.

'7. In a carton, the combination of a bottom, side walls articulated thereto, top walls articulated to said side walls and inner side walls articulated to said top walls, and means for holding said carton in assembled relationship, two opposite top walls having their edges beveled and the other two opposite top'walls having projections extending beyond the line of articulation of said latter top and inner side walls, so that when said carton is assembled, said projections will lie beneath said beveled edges of said other top walls. I

HARRY Z. GRAY. 

